Services

Tennis club open day nets £1,362 for Stourbridge hospice

STOURBRIDGE Lawn Tennis and Squash Club served up a treat with an open day that really hit the mark with members and visitors.

Officials opted to turn the annual event at the club, near Norton, into a charity fun day which proved a huge success - raising £1,362 for Mary Stevens Hospice.

The highlight of the day was a tennis match between three times British Touring Car champion Matt Neal and head tennis coach Les Davies against Matt's agent Steve Thomas and assistant coach Kirk Woodall.

Vice chairman Sarah Davis said: "The match was played in particular good humour. Some of the club's juniors joined in including Ellie Griffiths, who is currently ranked number two in the UK under-15 age group. She certainly put one or two shots past Les, who was her former coach."

Later in the evening, Matt Neal raffled off a Honda racing jacket, which raised £308, while an evening of live music from Lady and the Fax raised an additional £700.

There were a number of contests taking place during the day including beat the coach, fastest serve and an assault course competition.

Sarah added: "Rather than just have an open day for new members, we decided to make it a fun day so existing members and their families could come along and join in.

"The idea proved so successful that we could well continue the theme for years to come.

"We had quite a number of new people looking the join the club which has only recently completed a number of improvements. We also had people turn up specifically just to see Matt Neal.

"Everyone was delighted with the amount of money raised. We've pledged to raise £3,000 for Mary Stevens Hospice over the next 12 months and this was a flying start."

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